07 July 2017

News Story: US affirms commitment to defend Japan against N. Korea

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Defense Secretary James Mattis affirmed the United States' "ironclad commitment" to defending Japan during telephone talks Wednesday with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

In their dialogue a day after North Korea's apparent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, Mattis also promised to provide Japan with extended deterrence against Pyongyang, according to the department.